Avantel wants regular mobile licence

Colombian trunking operator Avantel is planning to submit an application later this month to modify its licence to include mobile network operating services. The move follows the passing of a law last week allowing trunking companies to interconnect with wireless network operators on an equal footing. The ministry could take up to six months to award a licence as it is still debating an appropriate price for a concession. Avantel, which currently has around 100,000 users, plans to target the corporate sector with packages bundling voice, data and internet access. Currently, 80% of its users also subscribe to a ‘regular’ mobile service, due to inhibitive interconnection rates.